The City of New Haven Department of Arts and Cultural Affairs is hosting a one-day virtual event to foster anti-racism in arts and culture.
Saturday’s event is titled "Unapologetically Radical" and is intended for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, as well as community activists, and arts organizations doing anti-racism work.
The agenda for the day-long event is laid out like an EP, or extended-play music album. For example, panel discussions are referred to as “tracks.” Some of the tracks are Truth and Reconciliation, The Intersectionality of Hip-Hop and Activism, and Revolutionary Healing.
“EP 1 is more of that ‘for us, by us’ kind of track, which is really focused on the activist and the artist,” explained Adriane Jefferson, Director of Arts, Culture and Tourism for the City of New Haven. “And so, from that we are hoping they get out of it a space to convene, a space of belonging, a space of healing and that they feel supported. Now, EP2 is more for those who have the heart to want to move their institutions to be an anti-racist organization. So, we want them to walk away with concrete tools and things they can operationalize immediately.”
"Unapologetically Radical" gets underway Saturday Morning starting at 10am with the keynote speech by Dr. Bettina L. Love, award-winning author and the Athletic Association Endowed Professor at the University of Georgia.
“Dr. Love is known for the work she’s done in ‘Hip-Hop Civics,’ working with Black and brown students to show that they actually are engaged,” said Jefferson.
"Unapologetically Radical" is sponsored by the City of New Haven’s Department of Arts and Cultural Affairs, and The International Festival of Arts and Ideas. To register, go to unapologeticallyradical.com.